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Mauer happy with first day at first base

3/1/14: Joe Mauer makes his debut playing first base, fielding a ground ball and completing a forceout during his four innings in the game

By Rhett Bollinger
/
MLB.com |

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Joe Mauer made his Grapefruit League debut against the Red Sox on Saturday, and the newly converted first baseman was happy with the way it went.

Mauer, who is making the transition from catcher to first base after suffering a season-ending concussion last August, played at first base at Hammond Stadium for the first time in his career. He saw action early -- with a ground ball hit to him by A.J. Pierzynski in the first inning, as he made the play unassisted.

"It felt a little different," Mauer said. "I've never actually played first base here at Spring Training, so I was a little worried about seeing the ball off the bat. It's a little bright out there, so it was nice I was able to get a ball in the first inning and make a play."

Mauer also added an RBI single to right field in his first at-bat of the spring against Red Sox right-hander Allen Webster in the first inning to score Brian Dozier. Mauer went 1-for-2 at the plate, before coming out of the game prior to the fifth inning.

"That was nice," Mauer said. "I felt pretty good at the plate. [My] timing was pretty good today, and usually this time of year, it's not so good. So it was nice to come up with a runner on and get him in."